The DV-2020 Lottery Photo Requirements

All DV-2020 Lottery applicants must upload a recent photo of themselves and all co-applicants (spouse and children). You must upload an electronic file containing your digital photograph after you register for the DV-2020 Lottery.

The photo requirements are very strict, and if you do not comply with all of the specifications below, including but not limited to the recentness and composition of your photos, your entire DV-2020 Lottery application will be disqualified.

You are not allowed to manipulate your photographs or alter the facial characteristics digitally. Doing so will result in your entire DV-2020 Lottery Application being disqualified. Failure to upload a photograph with the correct size and proportion of each individual on the DV-2020 Lottery application may result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas associated with the case at the time of the DV Lottery interview. Any applicant photo must be in colors at least 24-bit color depth, i.e. black and white photos are not accepted. You do not have to go to a professional photo shop to get your photo taken. You can have a friend or relative take the photo of you using a digital camera or a cell phone camera. The person being photographed should be in front of a neutral, light-colored background, as dark or patterned backgrounds are not acceptable. You are not allowed to wear any head decorations such as sunglasses or other items that detract from the visibility of the face. Photographs of applicants wearing head coverings or hats are not acceptable unless the head covering is worn for religious reasons; even in that case, the head covering may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant. Photographs of applicants must be 600 pixels times 600 pixels in size.